Briefcase

Business news of local interest

Juniata College was rated 11th out of 30 major colleges and universities with superior study abroad programs by Great Value Colleges, which recently published the 2017-18 poll on its website.

Great Value Colleges developed its ranking by listing 100 accredited colleges and universities from various rankings and other sources, including the 2015 US News & World Report rankings of institutions with the highest percentage of students studying abroad.

Juniata College is rated 11th, the first college in Pennsylvania to be listed. The only other Pennsylvania institution on the list is Susquehanna University, which is ranked 15th.

Northwest offices to close

In an effort to improve efficiency, Northwest Bancshares Inc. will close the 44 offices of its consumer finance subsidiary, Northwest Consumer Discount Co., effective July 14.

All NCDC loans will be transferred to Northwest Bank for servicing and collections.

Northwest Bank will continue to make direct consumer loans to qualified customers as well as continue to offer indirect sales finance loans through various dealers and retailers.

Pre-tax expenses associated with this closure are expected to be approximately $3 million over the next two quarters.

Area offices to be closed include 214 W. Plank Road and 194 Falon Lane in Altoona as well as offices in Bedford, Huntingdon and Johnstown.